Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Presenter of Screentime John Fardy join Kieran to review 'Jurassic World Dominion' the latest in the Jurassic Park franchise.

Born and raised in Donaghmede, singer song writer Damien Dempsey has become one of the most popular and celebrated voices in Ireland. He joined Kieran for this weeks Thursday interview to chat about his life, career and what needs to be done to address the social issues facing the country.

After a spate of brawls in Cork, it’s been suggested that Ireland’s first supervised injection centre for intravenous drug users should be piloted in Cork. Chris Luke is a consultant in Emergency Medicine and Claire Nash is the owner of Nash 19 Restaurant, they joined Kieran to discuss the need for,and impact a center would have on the area.

Interest rates will rise by 0.25% in July, and we’re going to see potentially a larger rise in September, that’s according to the European Central Bank today. Brendan Burgess from Ask About Money.com and John Fitzgerald, Adjunct professor in the Department of Economics in Trinity College.

This year we have already lost 400 doctors to Australia. That figure doesn’t include those who head to New Zealand. All the while we have waiting times in A&E departments and GPs offices piling up. Dr Eoin Murphy NCHD Committee for the Irish Medical Organisation joined Kieran to discuss the reasons so many health workers are leaving and what can be done to make the HSE a more attractive employer.

Dublin is full of beautiful unused buildings, and with so many retail shops leaving the high street, Gary Gannon TD for Dublin Central and Michelle Jackson From The Novel Traveller.com joined Kieran to discuss if food markets could be a way of using the space and enriching Dublin's culture.

The reaction to 150 Ukranian refugees have been placed in direct provision has been described as ‘shocking’. Bulelani Mfaco, spokesperson for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, joined Kieran to discuss if this reaction is different to how people have previously reacted to the other groups who are currently living in direct provision, and dealing with the challenges that presents.

Extinction Rebellion made a surprise appearance at the National Biodiversity Conference whose slogan is 'Act Now for Nature.' But The Irish Wildlife Trust and Extinction Rebellion feel it's been 20 years of action plans and very little done to deal with the wildlife and biodiversity crisis. They want a biodiversity act to legally require the government to take action on their own plans. Henry McKean went to Dublin Castle to report on the days events.

Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of the Bellissimo Files on Spin joined Kieran to mark the 40 year anniversary of the release of classic eighties movie ET.

According to reports people will be ordered to work from home in the event of a major fuel crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, under secret Government emergency plans. Michael McNamara Independent TD and Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran to discuss if workers would be equip to spend another period of time working from home and how it could impact the workforce.

Just two weeks ago, the Department for Housing released figures that indicated that just over 10,000 people were in emergency accommodation. One of those who is experiencing the housing crisis for herself is Independent TD for Clare, Violet-Anne Wynne, she joined Kieran tp share her story.

Sinead Kennedy joined Kieran to talk all things ‘Zoo Live’, RTE One’s new show hitting screens this week live from a purpose built studio in Dublin Zoo’s African Savanna.

Irish young adults have the second highest rate of cocaine use in Europe. That’s according to stats released today by the Health Research Board. They also found that nearly 20% of of 15- to 24-year-olds had used illegal drugs in the last year. Michael Guerin, senior addiction therapist at the charity organization Cuan Mhuire joined Kieran to discuss some of the reasons why we are seeing such a high amount of drug use.

Record numbers of new AIB bank accounts have been opened this week as people make the move from KCB and Ulster Bank. Daragh Cassidy Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie and David McWeeney KCB Customer joined Kieran to discuss how easy it is to switch banks and if banks are trying to make it easier for consumers.

Claire McKenna, Presenter, Alive and Kicking, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder for her weekly look into the world of wellness. This week she discussed cancer clinical trials.

The Junior Cert is set to begin tomorrow, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Jen Hogan, journalist, author and columnist with The Irish Times thinks It shouldn’t be going ahead after the level of disruption these young students have had to their education, she joined Kieran to explain the focus should be on getting kids familiar with school and socializing again.

According to new research if you’re aged over 40, training for a marathon could age your body by a decade. Dominic Munnelly, Sports Scientist & Personal Trainer joined Kieran to explain the science behind this and share his tips for anyone who is thinking about or currently training for a marathon.

Apple products and other smartphone manufacturers will have to use the same charger under a landmark deal provisionally approved by European lawmakers. Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss how chargers for just iphones could soon be a thing of the past.

Last week saw Health Minister Stephen Donnelly say that an upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction bill was “not originally envisaged to include international surrogacy”. He also said: “And it would be law by now if we hadn’t stopped it.” Campaigners took exception, and after an overwhelming response, Kieran was joined by Dora and Amy, who have been directly affected by the current status quo.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has clung to power after successfully winning a no-confidence vote. Lord Robert Hayward, A Conservative Peer, former MP and political analyst joined Kieran to discuss what state his leadership been left in and, where it leaves his party.